The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-06-23
A brave Kentuckian of the
Early Days.
Some Interesting Dispositions
Frontier Life in the
Wilds Of Ohio.
Original Survey-The Virginia Military
Lands-U. 8. Tract Western
Reserve, Symmes Pur.
chase, ETC., etc.
Valuable Researches among Time. Brown.
cd Records, from Days Of Hardship
and Danger that Tried the
Metal Of the Plucky
Pioneers.

The recent June number OF HdrperS
Magazine contains an article on the sub.
ject of ''The Kentucky Pioneers," from
the pen Of John Mason Brown. Among
other illustrations is found copy Of the
features Of Simon Kenton, taken from a
painting owned by Robert Clarke, Gin
cinnati, Ohio.
To gaze a moment upon the picture as
shown one would suppose that he was
inspecting the face of genial old cler-
ical gentleman, in whose expression
there beamed gentleness and goodness,
and whose heart was full Of the "milk of
human kindness his frame clad
in the regulation garments and neck-tie
of the day and generation of those who
lived at the time Of the taking of the
portrait, very much unlike the
supposed appearance of the doughty
pioneer, who was one OF the bravest and
most daring Of the Indian fighters. How
much in contrast is the description as
given by the chronicler of his appear
ance in his palmy days Of danger and
hardships. Says the writer: General
Kenton was of fair complexion, six feet
one inch in height. He stood and walk.
ed very erect, and in the prime of life
weighed about one hundred and ninety
pounds. He never was inclined to be
corpulent, although of sufficient fullness
to form graceful person. He had q
soft, tremulous voice, very pleasing to
the hearer. He had laughing, grey eyes,
which appeared to fascinate the beholder.
He was pleasant, good.humored and
obliging companion. When excited or
provoked to anger (which was seldom
the case) the fiery glance Of his eye would
almost curdle the blood of those with
whom he came in contact. His rage
when reused was tornado. In his deal
ing he was perfectly honest; his conf
dence in man and his credulity were
such that the same man might cheat
him twenty times, aud if he professed
friendship, he might cheat him STILL"
Imagine Kenton arrayed in the cos
tune of the pioneer, as described in the
article referred to. The ''coat" or "hunt-
ing shirt" that reached to the thigh was
OF coarse cloth, or preferably of we'll
dressed deer skin, that turned rain and
was not readily torn. Around the neck
and shoulders was q fringe, six inches
long, not intended for ornament alone,
but supplying the string 80 often needed
by a hunter. The four pockets, two on
either breast, were exactly placed that
the use of weapons should not be EN-.
barrassed. A belt, carrying tomahawk
and knife, passed through loops at the
back, and was tightened by buckle OF
thongs.
Beneath the right arm swung the bul.
letpouch, and with it the powder.horn
In the former were carried the bullets
the cotton patching" with which thu
balls were surrounded in loading, ant
the precious extra flints, all enclosed ant
fastened in interior pockets lest in rapit
movements they might be lost. The
powder horn was selected with referenc,
to the curve of the body, that it nigh
lie close and neither impede the use o
the right arm nor become entangled will
the bushes or cane. Much care was be
slowed upon its adornment, and it wa
softened by boiling to receive the righ
shape and preparation.
At the left side hung the tomahawk
alight hatchet with curved blade, usefu
in many ways about the camp and I
formidable weapon in close combat. Th'
knife lay across the chest within read!
grasp. Over his short trousers and stock
ings the hunter habitually wore deer
skin leggings that reached to the middl
thigh. There were prepared of brain
dressed skins, that perfectly turned tn
rain and dew. Along their outer edg
were often fringes of strings hangin
ready for use. The feet were cased 4
moccasins, to which soles of raw-hid
were sometimes sewed; but, as rule
the soft elk skin was preferred, for tn
face Of the land was as yet an unbroke
turf or forest mould and springy
the tread; stone cropped out as cultivs
ton disturbed the soil in after years. !
cap brought from the eastern settlement
or made OF the skin of q coon or panthe
completed the costume. What q nobl
specimen of manhood must Kenton hay
appeared clad in this outfit.
Simon Kenton was born in the mont
Of March, 1855, in Fauquier county, Wi
ginia. His father was a native of In
land his mother, whose maiden nam
was Miller, was of Scotch descent. hi
ancestors being among the first imm
grants TO Virginia. His parents wei
poor, and were tillers of the soil, the
chief crops being corn and tobacco. !
this occupation Simon was engaged
his early life. As schools were alme
unknown in the Southern States at th
time, and his parents being poor, /
grew to manhood without knovledf
OF his letters. When sixteen years ol
he became deeply smitten with Il
charms Of neighboring lassie. but
his great disappointment and frenzy 81
married one Of his young companion